Is America Taxed too Much?

[Zeb_Carter]

66% Say America Is Overtaxed
Sunday, April 11, 2010

When thinking about all the services provided by federal, state and local governments, 75% of voters nationwide say the average American should pay no more than 20% of their income in taxes.

However, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most voters (55%) believe the average American actually pays 30% or more of their income in taxes.

Sixty-six percent (66%) believe that America is overtaxed. Only 25% disagree.
Lower income voters are more likely than others to believe the nation is overtaxed.

 

[MzDeviancy]

This is always baffling to me. Do Americans not know that they have some of the lowest taxes to be found among OECD nations? You pay less than Canadians and Canadians piss and moan about taxes way less.

 

[R. Richard]

I can't figure4out how to vote in your poll, but fuck yes, I'm taxed too much. Aside from the Fire Department and highway maintenance, what government services?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I can't figure4out how to vote in your poll, but fuck yes, I'm taxed too much. Aside from the Fire Department and highway maintenance, what government services?

Click on one of the round thingies next to the words them click on the vote button!

 

[trysail]

This is always baffling to me. Do Americans not know that they have some of the lowest taxes to be found among OECD nations? You pay less than Canadians and Canadians piss and moan about taxes way less.

The OECD isn't counting correctly. They're neglecting:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Personal Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
Severance Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

The OECD isn't counting correctly. They're neglecting:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Personal Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
Severance Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

And don't forget all those ObamaTaxes that will soon go into effect. In some cases Americans pay over 60% of their income to taxes. And that's not counting the embedded taxes in the price of things you buy.

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

The OECD isn't counting correctly. They're neglecting:

Accounts Receivable Tax - Not applicable
Building Permit Tax -Not Applicable
CDL License Tax - Not a commercial driver
Cigarette Tax - Dont smoke
Corporate Income Tax - Not a corporation
Dog License Tax -Not in my area
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) - Not sure
Fishing License Tax - Dont fish
Food License Tax - I don't sell food
Fuel Permit Tax - I don't sell gas
Gasoline Tax - Yep
Hunting License Tax - I don't hunt
Inheritance Tax - I'm still alive
Inventory Tax - Doesn't apply to me
Liquor Tax, - I don't drink
Luxury Tax, - Ive only seen this in Monopoly
Marriage License Tax, - Well, twenty some odd years ago...
Medicare Tax, - Part of FICA
Personal Property Tax, - Not applicable
Real Estate Tax, - to the county
Service charge taxes, - huh?
Social Security Tax, - FICA again
Road Usage Tax (Truckers), Nope, they don't charge me for my Dooly
Sales Taxes, - Yup
Recreational Vehicle Tax, - Not here...
Severance Tax, ???
School Tax, - part of Real Estate Taxes
State Income Tax, - Not in Wyoming
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Not sure....
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax, I think you've beat the telephone tax to death..
Utility Tax, - Yeah
Vehicle License Registration Tax, Yup
Vehicle Sales Tax, - Still driving my 94' pickup....
Watercraft Registration Tax, - Not on my 14ft Beechnut canoe
Well Permit Tax, - I don't have any wells....
Workers Compensation Tax. - Employer pays it...

I dunno....most of your "taxes" don't apply to me...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The real issue is: What are you getting for your money?

We dont prioritize and we piss much of our money away. We let the elites and the major corporations get away with theft. We do nothing but create opportunities for corruption.

 

[Katyusha]

The OECD isn't counting correctly. They're neglecting:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Personal Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
Severance Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

Trysail, are we the only country that has all these taxes? I somehow doubt it.

 

[Liar]

Trysail, are we the only country that has all these taxes? I somehow doubt it.

Of course not. Every country have'em. Or similar.

 

[trysail]

I was curious to see the history of the state sales tax. I wanted to know when it was first imposed, what the historic rates were and whether the rate had ever been reduced.

What I unfortunately discovered is that in its 63-year history, the sales tax rate has TRIPLED.

Here is the entire sorry history of the state's taxes. There haven't been many reductions or eliminations.





1852
Lotteries become a major revenue source.
Clerks of Circuit Court collected license fees for billiard
tables, wood hucksters, marriages and oyster houses.

1860
Lotteries discontinued.

1880
Oysters become a fruitful revenue source.

1914
State Tax Commission established.

1922
Motor fuel tax enacted - 1 cent per gallon.

1924
Motor fuel tax increased to 2 cents per gallon.

1933
Alcoholic beverage tax enacted on distilled spirits up to
100 percent proof; tax rate set at $1.10 per gallon.
Motor vehicle titling tax of 1 percent enacted.

1936
Unemployment insurance tax enacted, with a rate of
2.7 percent of covered wages.

1937
Individual income tax of 5 percent enacted.
Corporation income tax of 0.5 percent enacted.
Recordation tax of 0.1 percent enacted.

1947
Sales and use tax of 2 percent enacted.
Motor fuel tax rate increased to 5 cents per gallon.

1953
Franchise tax on savings and loan institutions enacted.

1955
Employer withholding of income tax from wages began.
Corporation income tax raised to 5 percent.

1958
Income tax rate decreased to 3 percent.
Cigarette tax enacted at a rate of 3 cents per pack.

1959
Sales and use tax increased to 3 percent.

1968
Corporation income tax raised to 7 percent.
Sales and use tax increased to 4 percent.
Income tax changed to graduated tax with a 5 percent
maximum rate.
Local income tax created; calculated at 20 - 50 percent of
state tax.

1970
Transfer tax imposed on title conveyance to real property.

1973
Lottery re-enacted.
Cigarette tax increased to 10 cents per pack.

1977
Sales and use tax increased to 5 percent.
Motor vehicle titling tax increased to 5 percent.

1981
Agricultural land transfer tax created.
Motor fuel tax increased to 11 cents per gallon.
Cigarette tax increased to 13 cents per pack.

1984
Motor fuel tax increased to 13.5 cents per gallon.

1987
Motor fuel tax increased to 18.5 cents per gallon.

1992
Cigarette tax increased to 36 cents per pack.
Motor fuel tax on gasoline increased to 23.5 cents per gallon.

1998
Income tax rate reduced to 4.875 percent.

1999
Cigarette tax increased to 66 cents per pack.
Income tax reduced to maximum rate of 4.85 percent.
Local income tax calculated at 1 - 3 percent of taxable income.

2000
Local inheritance tax for spouses and lineal descendants repealed.
Franchise taxes on savings and loan, financial institutions
eliminated.

2001
Income tax rate reduced to maximum rate of 4.80 percent.

2002
Cigarette tax increased to $1.00 per pack.
Income tax rate reduced to maximum rate of 4.75 percent.

2004
Bay restoration fee enacted to help upgrade wastewater
treatment facilities.
Nonresidents who derive income from Maryland source are
subject to a special 1.25 percent nonresident income tax rate, in
addition to the regular 4.75 percent tax rate.

2006
Estate tax limited to 16 percent of the amount that the estate value
exceeds $1 million.

2007
State income tax rate increased to a maximum of 5.5 percent.
Corporation income tax rate increased to 8.25 percent.
Sales and use tax rate increased to 6 percent.
Cigarette tax increased to $2.00 per pack.
New state admissions and amusement tax of 20 percent is levied on
electronic bingo and electronic tip jars.

2008
State income tax rate amended to start at 2 percent on the first
$1,000 of taxable income and increase up to a maximum of
6.5 percent on incomes exceeding $1 million.
Personal exemption amount increased from $2,400 to $3,200 but is
subject to a partial phaseout depending on the taxpayer’s adjusted
gross income.

2009
State admissions and amusement tax levied on electronic bingo and
electronic tip jars increased from 20 cents to 30 cents.












SalesTax
StateSalesTax

 

[Liar]

66% Say America Is Overtaxed
Sunday, April 11, 2010

When thinking about all the services provided by federal, state and local governments, 75% of voters nationwide say the average American should pay no more than 20% of their income in taxes.

However, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most voters (55%) believe the average American actually pays 30% or more of their income in taxes.

Sixty-six percent (66%) believe that America is overtaxed. Only 25% disagree.
Lower income voters are more likely than others to believe the nation is overtaxed.

Questions arise.

20% is as arbitrary a number as any. Why 20%?

55% believe the average American actually pays 30% or more of their income in taxes. Okaaaay? The only thing that's relevant there is: Are they right? Or is a majority of Americans ill informed?

What does "overtaxed" mean?

 

[Katyusha]

Of course not. Every country have'em. Or similar.

Pretty much what I thought too. Trysail's post, while only listing all the taxes the OECD didn't count and not drawing conclusions, implies that the U.S. has a significantly higher number of taxes than most other countries do.

 

[Liar]

Pretty much what I thought too. Trysail's post, while only listing all the taxes the OECD didn't count and not drawing conclusions, implies that the U.S. has a significantly higher number of taxes than most other countries do.

Well to be honest, I haven't counted the different excises, provitions and stuff in different countries. In fact, I'd rather swim naked across a pirahna pond with my gonads wrapped in bacon that dig into that.

 

[Katyusha]

Questions arise.

20% is as arbitrary a number as any. Why 20%?

55% believe the average American actually pays 30% or more of their income in taxes. Okaaaay? The only thing that's relevant there is: Are they right? Or is a majority of Americans ill informed?

What does "overtaxed" mean?

Well, I interpret the word "overtaxed," in this context, to mean two different things. The first is that, when you include ALL the taxes that Americans pay, including the corporate taxes that come down to the consumer in the form of higher prices, we're paying significantly more in taxes than anybody else in the world. To my knowledge, this is not true, thus we can't truly say we're "overtaxed."

The second, which I do believe, is that we're paying our government far too much money based on how they spend it. They remind me of adolescents in that respect; you give your teenage child a $30 allowance every week and they spend most of it on frivolous nonsense like clothes and gadgets, but then come crying to you every other day for more money because they can't afford to put gas in their car. If you're a decent parent, you won't give them that money, you'll simply tell them that they need spend their allowance money more wisely (and teach them how, if you haven't already). The only difference is that you can do that and your child can't write a house rule stating that you MUST provide them 'x' number of dollars for gasoline that is separate from the allowance you give them. With government, if they decide they need more money, they'll pass a tax increase or a create a new tax, and we have to pay it, even if every one of those new dollars is going to fund a bridge to nowhere.

 

[trysail]

Trysail, are we the only country that has all these taxes? I somehow doubt it.

Like nits and lice, all these nickel and dime taxes add up. They are really insidious ( and you know perfectly well that the pols intend it that way ). My cousin sat down and added 'em all up one year. He concluded that he was paying more than a 40% tax rate.


My state's sales tax is really, really obnoxious. It has gotten to the point where it has affected my behavior. I simply will not buy stuff because of it. I distinctly recall the day I went into a book store to buy a $20.00 book, the $21.00 bill drove home that I'd just forked over a goddamn $1.00 for nothing other than tax.


The sales tax rate started out at 2% in 1947. The pols increased it by what they called a "penny" in 2007. A penny, my ass! They increased it by 20% ( from a 5% rate to a 6% rate ). Since it was originally adopted, this tax has now tripled.


My state got along just fine before all these damn people showed up to feed from the government trough. This state has been wrecked by all these people— an inordinate number of whom are sleazy lobbyists and proselytizers for every crackpot cause known to man. The Chesapeake Bay has been destroyed. The whole state has been paved over.


What was once a very pleasant place to live— a largely agrarian region— has been turned into a hellhole by the offal of D.C. ( the District of Confusion, a/k/a Cancer On The Potomac ).

 

[oggbashan]

No one likes taxes.

No one ever did. The ancient Romans complained, the ancient Chinese complained, the ancient Egyptians complained and probably many other ancient civilisations complained.

Taxation caused at least two major revolutions - The French and the American, and the English Civil War.

Try paying UK or other European countries' fuel taxes. My petrol now costs one pound twenty a litre and the tax on it will increase later this year, whoever wins the election.

Og

 

[driphoney]

It seems that non-Americans would find this poll very easy to vote on. Hmm.

Looking at it and the remarks of some of the posters, it got me wondering ... Do UK citizens also pay country tax (such as an England tax, Wales tax and so on,) then regional taxes, shire taxes, and on and on? This question could be reformulated for other countries which have a much smaller population and landmass. Just a curiosity thing on my part, not a sarcastic comment.

And I fail to understand the comparison between what citizens of each country think regarding how much tax they pay. Isn't that the prerogative of the citizenry of each country, and how they deal with it a part of their own unique voting and taxing system?

Griping about taxation is hardwired into the American psyche and has been a national past-time since before we were an independent nation, right? The Sugar Act? The Stamp Act? And while all this "taxation without representation" was going on, the American Colonies were paying 5% to the British tax payout of 15%. So, they've always wondered what the hell the Yanks were bitchin' about! Canadians agreed and remained part of the Commonwealth. So, it makes sense, in a way, right, that they complain less? They have a different Country Ideology.

But we did, and we still do. So?

 

[MzDeviancy]

The OECD isn't counting correctly. They're neglecting:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax (Taken directly out of the estate here)
Inventory Tax
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Personal Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
Severance Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax, (provincial, for us)
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax. (UI)

Bolded all the ones that I know Canada has in some form or another off the top of my head, and we probably have the rest as well, just as other OECD nations likely do.

And regarding not being happy with you guys get back from your gov: a) you guys spend massive amounts on defense, and b) you get what you pay for. Low taxes - and make no mistake, your taxes are low - mean less back from the gov in terms of quality services provided. Also, your debt: a big reason for that is your government's refusal to substantially raise taxes.

 

[MzDeviancy]

It seems that non-Americans would find this poll very easy to vote on. Hmm.

Looking at it and the remarks of some of the posters, it got me wondering ... Do UK citizens also pay country tax (such as an England tax, Wales tax and so on,) then regional taxes, shire taxes, and on and on? This question could be reformulated for other countries which have a much smaller population and landmass. Just a curiosity thing on my part, not a sarcastic comment.

And I fail to understand the comparison between what citizens of each country think regarding how much tax they pay. Isn't that the prerogative of the citizenry of each country, and how they deal with it a part of their own unique voting and taxing system?

Griping about taxation is hardwired into the American psyche and has been a national past-time since before we were an independent nation, right? The Sugar Act? The Stamp Act? And while all this "taxation without representation" was going on, the American Colonies were paying 5% to the British tax payout of 15%. So, they've always wondered what the hell the Yanks were bitchin' about! Canadians agreed and remained part of the Commonwealth. So, it makes sense, in a way, right, that they complain less? They have a different Country Ideology.

But we did, and we still do. So?

Ah, yes, but bitching about how Americans bitch about stuff is part of Canadian culture. I'm just exercising my cultural identity

 

[trysail]

... make no mistake, your taxes are low...

You call 40+% low?

 

[badboycj69]

You mean South America, right?

You mean South America, right?

 

[R. Richard]

Click on one of the round thingies next to the words them click on the vote button!

I was signed out and got results but couldn't vote.

I also forgot to include snow removal in the list of useful government services.

 

[driphoney]

Ah, yes, but bitching about how Americans bitch about stuff is part of Canadian culture. I'm just exercising my cultural identity

In that case ... carry on!

 

[PoppingTom]

You call 40+% low?

We have nearly 50% taxes and would be happy, if we only got 35% taxes in the lowest group.

Our value-added tax is at 19 % now.